Oath Ceremony Experience - Plano, TX

[SarahTheScientist 1]

Hi everyone,

 

Has anyone had a recent oath ceremony at the Plano Event Center in Plano, TX? I am wondering about the visitor policy. I am so disappointed at the possibility of not witnessing my fiancé's final step to citizenship. The Plano Event Center told me that there is limited seating in an adjacent room that will play audio of the ceremony. Did anyone experience this? Just wanting to get as much info as possible! Thank you.

[MikeMcG 1]

Hi Sarah,

Congratulations to your fiancee. Have you had the ceremony yet? My wife's ceremony is scheduled for August 30th at 7:30am in Plano. I was planning on going with our two kids, but if I just have to sit in a separate room and the kids can't see anything, I'm wondering if its worth it.

[SarahTheScientist 1]

33 minutes ago, MikeMcG said:

Hi Sarah,

Congratulations to your fiancee. Have you had the ceremony yet? My wife's ceremony is scheduled for August 30th at 7:30am in Plano. I was planning on going with our two kids, but if I just have to sit in a separate room and the kids can't see anything, I'm wondering if its worth it.

Hi Mike, 

 

Thank you and congratulations to your wife! His ceremony is this week! I will set a reminder to send you another message once it’s over

[SarahTheScientist 1]

On 8/14/2022 at 10:12 AM, MikeMcG said:

Hi Sarah,

Congratulations to your fiancee. Have you had the ceremony yet? My wife's ceremony is scheduled for August 30th at 7:30am in Plano. I was planning on going with our two kids, but if I just have to sit in a separate room and the kids can't see anything, I'm wondering if its worth it.

Hi Mike,

 

Updating you on the ceremony details! We got there at 6:45am and the parking lot started filling up pretty quickly after that. You can park and line up on either side of the building. We waited in line til 7:30am which is when they told us that the family rooms were on the other side (east side). There wasn't a line for family--you just kind of wait around until they open up the doors which happened about 8am. It's pretty much first come first serve on the rooms and chairs, but there was plenty of space for everyone there. The ceremony didn't start until 9am, and sadly I can confirm that there is no video, it's just audio. Absolutely better than nothing! It was all over by 9:30.

 

So unless things change in the next two weeks, you and your kids won't be able to actually attend the ceremony ☹️ If you do go, it's probably best to bring some kind of distraction so they don't get super bored while you're waiting in the family room for an hour. I totally recommend going--better to go than regret not being there! I was teary-eyed just from listening to it all. Anyway, if you have any more questions, please feel free to ask!

 

-Sarah

[NatalieP136 21]

On 8/16/2022 at 2:35 PM, SarahTheScientist said:

Hi Mike,

 

Updating you on the ceremony details! We got there at 6:45am and the parking lot started filling up pretty quickly after that. You can park and line up on either side of the building. We waited in line til 7:30am which is when they told us that the family rooms were on the other side (east side). There wasn't a line for family--you just kind of wait around until they open up the doors which happened about 8am. It's pretty much first come first serve on the rooms and chairs, but there was plenty of space for everyone there. The ceremony didn't start until 9am, and sadly I can confirm that there is no video, it's just audio. Absolutely better than nothing! It was all over by 9:30.

 

So unless things change in the next two weeks, you and your kids won't be able to actually attend the ceremony ☹️ If you do go, it's probably best to bring some kind of distraction so they don't get super bored while you're waiting in the family room for an hour. I totally recommend going--better to go than regret not being there! I was teary-eyed just from listening to it all. Anyway, if you have any more questions, please feel free to ask!

 

-Sarah

Congratulations! I am a March 2022 Dallas filer. How long did it take from applying to getting an interview for you guys?

[SarahTheScientist 1]

20 hours ago, NatalieP136 said:

Congratulations! I am a March 2022 Dallas filer. How long did it take from applying to getting an interview for you guys?

Hi Natalie! Congrats on getting the process started! We applied early September 2021, so it all took about 11 months. Our original estimated time to completion was 15 months, but USCIS waived the biometric appointment because his information was already in the system so it was shortened to 12 months. Honestly we were surprised that it all happened as fast as it did! I think we're very lucky that we didn't run into any complications along the way. I hope it goes the same for you! Let me know if you have any other questions; I'm happy to help and encourage!

[NatalieP136 21]

7 minutes ago, SarahTheScientist said:

Hi Natalie! Congrats on getting the process started! We applied early September 2021, so it all took about 11 months. Our original estimated time to completion was 15 months, but USCIS waived the biometric appointment because his information was already in the system so it was shortened to 12 months. Honestly we were surprised that it all happened as fast as it did! I think we're very lucky that we didn't run into any complications along the way. I hope it goes the same for you! Let me know if you have any other questions; I'm happy to help and encourage!

Thank you! I had my biometrics done in April and since then it says they are reviewing it. I also have my i751 waiting to be scheduled for an interview since August 2021 😔

It has been slow but your timeline is encouraging! I hope I get approved by next January. Thanks for the support I appreciate you 

[SarahTheScientist 1]

20 hours ago, NatalieP136 said:

Congratulations! I am a March 2022 Dallas filer. How long did it take from applying to getting an interview for you guys?

I just reread your comment and realized I didn't even answer your question 🤦‍♀️ We received his interview notice late June, so that would make it about 9.5 months from the day we applied. His interview was July 25th, and the ceremony notice was posted on the USCIS website the very next day. 

[NatalieP136 21]

17 minutes ago, SarahTheScientist said:

I just reread your comment and realized I didn't even answer your question 🤦‍♀️ We received his interview notice late June, so that would make it about 9.5 months from the day we applied. His interview was July 25th, and the ceremony notice was posted on the USCIS website the very next day. 

No worries thank you I appreciate it 

[MikeMcG 1]

@SarahTheScientist - thank you for the update. Hate that we can't go in and watch. Not sure what we are going to do yet.

 

[MikeMcG 1]

@NatalieP136 - We applied in August 2021. Received interview notification in June 2022. Interviewed August 10th and was scheduled for swearing in ceremony August 30th.

[Canadiano 0]

Hey all! My ceremony is scheduled at the Plano Event center for Dec. 13. 2022. I read the comments about audio only room for family. Is there any chance I can livestream anything from my phone or can someone from my family livestream at least from the family room? I have international family who would love to hear it.

[CarrollAm 108]

On 11/28/2022 at 10:53 AM, Canadiano said:

Hey all! My ceremony is scheduled at the Plano Event center for Dec. 13. 2022. I read the comments about audio only room for family. Is there any chance I can livestream anything from my phone or can someone from my family livestream at least from the family room? I have international family who would love to hear it.

I found your comment by searching for the same question. 

How did it go? Were you able to record or take photos? Is it still audio only for family?

My ceremony is on February 22nd and I'm debating if I should bring my husband and teenage kids. 

[Rocio0010 5,565]

On 2/2/2023 at 3:47 PM, CarrollAm said:

I found your comment by searching for the same question. 

How did it go? Were you able to record or take photos? Is it still audio only for family?

My ceremony is on February 22nd and I'm debating if I should bring my husband and teenage kids. 

@Crazy Cat

[Crazy Cat 39,267]

On 2/2/2023 at 2:47 PM, CarrollAm said:

I found your comment by searching for the same question. 

How did it go? Were you able to record or take photos? Is it still audio only for family?

My ceremony is on February 22nd and I'm debating if I should bring my husband and teenage kids. 

My wife's Citizenship Oath Ceremony was at the Plano Event Center on Jan 26, 2023.  We arrived at 7:15 am.  There were already hundreds and hundreds of cars there.  The line of people stretched around the building.  We were in line about 40 minutes before entering the building. Once we got in, all family members had to go to special family rooms while the new citizen applicants were directed to tables to check in and surrender the questionnaire and their green cards.  At about 8:20 the last of the long line entered the building.  At 9:00 or so, the ceremony began.  Audio of the ceremony was piped into the family rooms.  My wife was able to take pictures during the ceremony.  After starting, the ceremony, itself, took about 20-30 minutes.  There were 1,000 new citizens representing about 30 or 40 countries there.  After the ceremony, new citizens were directed to tables to get their Naturalization Certificates.  There were also kiosks set up to accept voter registration forms outside the building.  Since the temperature was 32 degrees, my wife and I left after submitting her voter card.  We headed to the Starbucks on Spring Creek to warm up..

Edited February 5, 2023 by Crazy Cat